Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Just in case you didn't notice, it's been 2 weeks since my last post! I remember thinking last week "Wow! I can't believe it's been a week since my last post!" And now another week has flown by! I know I have been busy, but geesh! I will have many more posts coming up about all my recent projects, but for today I'll just be leaving a short post as I have to devote SOME of my time to cleaning the house, before my family gets lost under all the mess! AHHH!

Anyway...about 2 weeks ago, my sister called and asked about a cake for her coworker's daughter's birthday. I happily agreed. Her coworker, Kathy, wanted a coconut cream cake. I love trying out new flavors! I looked online and found a recipe for coconut cream filling from a lady you may have heard of...does Martha Stewart ring a bell? Coming from her, it had to be good right? So, I baked a white cake, adding a little coconut cream pudding to the mix. I made it a four layer cake and iced it all with a coconut buttercream. I then added sweetened shredded coconut all around the sides.

Kathy had asked me to use whipped cream for the piping. I piped large shells on with a 1M tip, but in ten minutes time, the beautiful shells turned into a drippy, melty mess! So I had to redo the top of the cake and soak up the drips down the sides and bottom of the cake. Luckily, I got it all off in a decent manner, and it didn't need too much repair. I then made another batch of the coconut buttercream and repiped the shells. And last, but not least, added a cherry on top!

I should have taken a before picture, but at the time I was too devastated, so I didn't. But here's a few after pictures...MUCH better than earlier!

In the end, Kathy said her family loved it, and that's really what matters!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Don't worry...I'm not in any real danger! Unless the hubby finds out that I am planning on making another order from Global Sugar Art soon. Hehehe! And I'm thinking about ordering some back issues of Cake Central Magazine. But here's the real problem: I can't buy them all. :(

Seeing as I have an obsession with weddings, I really want the wedding issue!

But then I wonder if June or July might have something more valuable to use, instead of just pretty to look at?

Or should I wait another week or two and buy the new August issue?

Too many choices!!! Please help a fellow caker out here! Do you have a subscription? Or have you bought every issue? Any ideas as to which issue would be the best purchase?

Whichever issue(s) I decide to buy...I can't wait to see the pictures and read the articles!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

My sister called me up saying there was a baby shower at her work and was wondering if I might be able to make a cake or cupcakes for it. I love baby showers, with the pastel color palettes, the cute little clothes, and the enormous amount of food...how could I possibly say no? Even if it was needed in 3 days...I still happily agreed! But with the design I had planned, I had to start working right away.

I started making the cake topper first, giving it a full day of drying. I found great instructions for a bow here. I mixed my fondant with tylose powder to make it dry faster and more durable. I cut and formed each loop separately, as well as each curly ribbon, and in the main colors of the shower...pastel blue, green and yellow. I made about 24 loops, allowing extra for breakage. I usually make 18 1" loops, but since I was making smaller (about 3/4") loops this time, I needed to make more for this bow.

The next day, Blue mixed all my cake batter and 3 batches (at once!) of buttercream. She's such a hard little worker!

I baked 36 cupcakes (18 vanilla and 18 chocolate) and used the rest of the batter to make 2 halves of a 6" cake. I divided the buttercream into 4 equal quarters...one stayed white, while the others were dyed blue, green and yellow. I used my white buttercream for filling in the cake and then a crumb coat before I applied the fondant.

I iced all my cupcakes with a Wilton 2D tip and then stored them for transport (after taking a couple pics, of course).

That night, I melted some Wilton candy melts and "glued" my bow topper together. I let it chill and harden for a little while in the fridge, then I took it out and placed it on my itty bitty cake with a dab of the melted candy. I added a fondant rope border and I was done!

I brought it to the shower the next day and set it up. I added Wilton jungle wrappers and picks since the theme matched the baby's jungle bedding.

And I got about as much "Ooohhhh"s and "Aaahhh"s over the cake, bow and cupcakes as a newborn baby!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Hope you all had a great 4th! I have been super busy spending time having fun and relaxing with the in-laws, so I haven't had any time to bake. :(But I thought I'd leave you with a couple pics for the holiday!

I made these 2 years ago, right after I first got bit by the cake decorating bug...

Firework Cupcakes-I know they're not perfect, but I was pretty proud of them at the time!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

I recently won a giveaway from a blog I frequent...Mom vs. the Boys! It is the first thing I've won online, and I was super duper excited! I have looked at so many vinyl wall decals but could never see myself buying them because they're pretty expensive. But when I won a $40 gift certificate to Right on the Walls, I figured I couldn't go wrong! There was too many cute/fun/inspirational/sentimental decals to choose from! Should I get something for the girls, the hubs, the family, or for myself?! AHHHH! They have something for every room, in every style you can think of, not to mention you also have the choice of designing your own! In the end, I chose to get something cake related...yes, I am obsessed! HA! I love it!

I had also thought about "Let us eat cake" and (an idea from another Cake Central member) "Oh My Ganache"! But I kinda couldn't wait to order, so this is the first thing that came to mind! Maybe next time. And in case you're wondering...yes, that is Christmas lights hanging in my dining room. :)

About Me

Hi all! My name is Jessica. A while back I got my sister cake decorating lessons for her birthday and decided to join her. Well, I liked the class so much, it has become my favorite hobby! I am constantly learning new things and wanting to try them out! And I'm lucky enough to have a very supportive husband who lets me play to my hearts content! I also like crafting, parties,weddings . . . basically anything and everything related to them! Hope you enjoy!